Your Emergency Dentist Saving Salinas Smiles

Search for a definition for the word emergency and you’re likely to find something along the lines of “a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.” In fact, an emergency is usually scary, nerve-wracking and often happens at the worst time possible. In the case of dental emergency, you need a dentist and team who are ready to care for you with understanding, compassion and professionalism. Salinas emergency dentist Dr. Klugman is often able to schedule same-day appointments that require urgent care. He will calmly diagnose the situation, recommend treatment and provide immediate care.

First Steps

When you are in the midst of a dental emergencyin the Salinas area, the key is to remain calm and follow a plan. We suggest that you add Blanco Circle Dental Care’s phone number to your list of cell phone contacts. That way, you can react quickly and not have to remember or search for our number. Call us at 831-422-7838 anytime night or day. During regular business hours, one of our staff will be able to advise you immediately. After hours, the answering service will give instructions.

What You Can Do When You Experience A Dental Emergency

Knowledge is power and in many cases a comfort, too. So Salinas emergency dentist Dr. Klugman would like you to know what to do immediately after a dental emergency happens.

Knocked Out Tooth

Believe it or not, a tooth that is knocked out is not necessarily gone forever. If you can get to Dr. Klugman’s office within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury, then he may be able to save your tooth. In the meantime, touch only the crown of the tooth and not the root. Clean the tooth with water, place it back in its socket and gently bite down to hold it in place. If this isn’t possible, fill a Ziploc bag with milk to store the tooth and get to our office as quickly as possible.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth usually indicates that there is damage to the nerve inside your tooth as well as the tooth’s exterior. In this case, you may need to have a root canal. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress if there is facial swelling. We’ll need to take an x-ray to determine whether or not a root canal is necessary.

Severe Toothache

Pain is the body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. A toothache may mean that you have an infection inside the tooth or an abscess in the gum. These infections can be quite serious and even life threatening if not treated immediately. Contact Blano Circle Dental Care immediately.

Frequenly Asked Questions

What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that is bleeding, broken, or causing you pain in the oral cavity (i.e. mouth) or surrounding area. A dental emergency usually requires prompt treatment. Some of the most common emergencies include:

Knocked out tooth

Dislodged tooth

Broken tooth

Broken filling, crown, or other restoration

Toothache or abscess

Lesion to the soft oral tissues

Something stuck between teeth

Anything else that just doesn’t feel quite right

What should I do if my tooth has been knocked out?

Call our office ASAP! If you have knocked out a tooth, it needs to be treated within 2 hours. Past this brief window of time, reattachment is usually not possible. First, find the tooth and rinse away any debris under warm water. Do not touch the root. Rinse the mouth out and apply pressure to a bleeding wound. Store the tooth in its empty socket, the cheek, or a cup of milk/water if the former are not possible. Come into our office as soon as instructed.

How can I manage dental pain?

A dental emergency is almost guaranteed to cause some amount of pain. You can feel free to take an over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Remember to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol while you are taking pain medicine -- and do not use it for prolonged periods of time. Come see us for treatment to get out of pain and on with your life!

What if I’ve broken a filling or crown?

Sometimes, a broken dental restoration can be temporarily repaired with toothpaste or a denture adhesive. Covering up any jagged edges with dental wax found at the pharmacy will prevent injury to the soft oral tissues.

When should I go to the emergency room instead?

In the majority of cases, your dentist is better equipped than the emergency room to handle a dental emergency. If, however, you are bleeding profusely for longer than 10 minutes or if you suspect you have broken a bone in your jaw, please seek medical treatment immediately.

How does a dentist treat emergencies?

The treatment for an emergency will vary based on your particular situation. Many times, the answer is a dental crown and/or root canal. Knocked out teeth that are treated promptly and have not been damaged severely can often be reattached. Whatever the proper approach, you can feel confident when you partner with your trusted dentist in Salinas.

Does dental insurance cover emergencies?

Dental insurance should cover a portion of the cost of a restorative treatment, like a dental crown, root canal, or extraction. We will work to maximize your coverage to ensure you get the most help from dental insurance.

Who is the emergency dentist in Salinas?

If you or a loved one are experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Blanco Circle Dental Care! We frequently treat urgent dental situations and promise to have you back on your feet as quickly as possible. Contact us ASAP!